Management Team
Thomas B. Brenneke
Tom Brenneke has been president of Guardian Management since 1999. In his 20 year history with the company, Brenneke has been instrumental in growing the company’s management portfolio and guiding its growth into new segments of the real estate industry. He is a previous board member of the Metro Multifamily Housing Association and a member of the National Multi Housing Council. Brenneke is a Certified Property Manager and licensed Oregon Real Estate Broker. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Portland in 1984.
Ronald A. Shellan
Ronald Shellan joined Guardian Management as executive vice president and general counsel in 2007. Prior to joining Guardian, Shellan was a senior partner at Miller Nash LLP, one of Portland’s largest law firms, where he focused on the intersection of tax and real estate law. As a principal of the company, Shellan manages Guardian’s legal matters and is actively involved in investment opportunities for the company’s financial partners. He works closely with Guardian’s acquisition and development groups in structuring complex transactions. Shellan has been practicing law since 1975 and is also a Certified Public Accountant. He is a recognized expert in tax-free exchanges, affordable housing, low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, real estate law, and partnership and LLC law. Shellan earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Washington and a law degree from Willamette University, where he was an editor of the Willamette Law Review.
Jonathan A. Spencer
Jonathan Spencer joined Guardian Management LLC in 2007 as chief financial officer. Prior to joining Guardian, Spencer served as vice president and chief financial officer at Prudential Northwest Properties based in Portland, Ore.. There, Spencer was a licensed accountant responsible for all financial and operational functions for a large real estate sales brokerage with 120 employees and 650 realtors working in 20 offices in two states. Spencer oversees the corporate financial and operational functions necessary for Guardian’s growth and success. Spencer has an extensive background in accounting dating back to 1983 and is also a former Certified Public Accountant. Spencer attended Oregon State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from Portland State University.
Karlin Conklin
Karlin Conklin is vice president of acquisitions for Guardian Management. Conklin is responsible for sourcing potential acquisitions, securing financing, and forging partnerships with equity investors. Since joining the company in 2002, Conklin launched a rapidly growing and highly successful business unit specializing in multifamily acquisitions. Prior to her current position, Conklin was an associate director at Marcus & Millichap, the largest commercial brokerage firm in the country. She is a licensed agent in both Oregon and Washington, and she holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oregon, where she also served with distinction as the director of the Lindquist Center for Entrepreneurship.
J. Daniel Steffey
J. Daniel Steffey is vice president of development for Guardian Management. Steffey has been responsible for the firm’s activity in the highly specialized world of acquisition, preservation and development of workforce housing. He leads a highly knowledgeable group experienced in the use of complex financial structures and development incentives to carry out its work. He has more than four decades of experience in housing and community development work in Oregon, including a history of public and private sector affordable housing accomplishments. He has also created employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Steffey is active in the community, including Chair of the Multnomah County/Portland Citizens Commission on Homelessness, a group charged with the creation and oversight of the community’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for Portland’s De La Salle North Catholic High School.
Jim Wiard
Jim Wiard is vice president of property management for Guardian Management LLC. Wiard has been employed by Guardian since 1991 and serves on the company’s executive management team. He is responsible for managing all property operations, including key relationships, policy development, training and compliance. During 2007, Wiard spearheaded the company’s non-smoking initiative and converted all portfolio properties to non-smoking. In his time with Guardian, he has supervised numerous lease-ups and participated on many development teams. His experience also includes most major government housing programs. Wiard is a Certified Property Manager® and past president of Portland’s Metro Multifamily Housing Association. Additionally, he is the company’s principal broker for Oregon and Washington. Wiard is a graduate of University of Oregon and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing.